Thousands turn out to vote on Election Day

THE election day polls have been open for more than seven hours and thousands have turned out to vote

• Chief Minister Michael Gunner rules out deals with independents if NT Labor doesn’t win majority
• NTEC to keep counting votes until midnight as early polling turnout hits record high

THE election day polls have been open for more than seven hours and plenty have turned out to vote in Alice Springs.

Alice Springs resident, Benči Dimitris, says he kept a close eye on parties policies on youth justice measures prior to voting day.

Alice Springs resident Benči Dimitris votes in the 2020 NT election. Picture: JASMINE BURKE

“I’m concerned about punitive youth justice measures being touted at this year’s election,” Mr Dimitris said.

“Children as young as 10 do not belong in custody, locking children up makes youth crime worse. This is a human rights disaster.”

Elisabeth Storor votes in Alice Springs in the 2020 NT election. Picture: JASMINE BURKE

Elisabeth Storor, 23, said she was “excited” to be voting today.

“Some of the most important issues to me are housing, where each party stands on fracking and youth justice policies,” Ms Storor said.

“With housing, it’s become a human rights disaster in terms of the way that so many other problems interlinked with it, and could be ameliorated if everyone had access to safer, cleaner housing.

Mad Frackers Tea Party in Alice Springs protesting fracking and youth detention #ntpol #ntvotes #ntelection @TheNTNews pic.twitter.com/BoftuLAHoU

— Jamal Ben Haddou âµ£ (@JamalBenHaddou_) August 22, 2020

“With fracking it seems pretty clear now that it’s not going to be economically beneficial and it’s certainly not going to be environmentally beneficial, so I don’t think it’s popular at all amongst all sides of politics.

“I think the Royal Commission report into Child Protection has some really good, clear recommendations that could solve the problems that everyone can see is happening right now, and they are just there for whatever government gets in to take the ball and roll with.

“So I think it’d be really great if it could be implemented.”

MORE ELECTION NEWS

Last minute financial leg up for CLP as party hopes support translates at the ballot box

Goyder MLA Kezia Purick could become kingmaker in down to the wire NT election CDU expert says

Health Minister has no regrets as voting gets under way

Both high profile candidates in the Fannie Bay seat in Darwin — current Labor chief minister Michael Gunner and CLP would-be treasurer Tracey Hayes — spent time at the polling station this morning canvassing for votes.

It comes as tens of thousands of people chose to vote before election day.

At the Darwin CBD voting booths — set up in the lobby of the old cinema — lines were only about four people long.

People were being asked to socially distance, using one-time-use pencils to cast their vote.

Dilli Binadi, who was voting at Nightcliff Middle School, didn’t want to say which party snared his vote but said the issues facing the electorate this year were clear cut.

Dilli Binadi and Pratisha Deaan voting with children in tow Diya, 8 and Aavya, 3.

“Definitely the economy, jobs and the coronavirus, how to handle it in a proper way so people are protected,” he said.

LIMITED TIME – Discounted NT News subscription: Read everything for $1

One of the other ‘big’ issues facing Territorians this election day is a lack of democracy sausages, banned due to COVID-19 concerns.

Journalists from media outlets across the Top End have taken to Twitter to suggest other “democracy foods”.

When in Darwin, have a democracy laksa instead. #ntvotes #NTelection pic.twitter.com/mNVji9Nd0P

— Robert Baird (@rj_baird) August 22, 2020

Follow @PhillippaButt

Originally published as Thousands turn out to vote on Election Day